<p>31 (32 superscored) ACT, 3.86 unweighted GPA (4.7 weighted). Pretty much all honors and AP classes. I'm mostly just looking at small LACs. My top 3 schools (in general, not safeties obviously) are Oberlin, Vassar, and Skidmore. Right now my safeties are Gettysburg and Dickinson, but are those safe enough? If not, could anyone recommend some, preferably on or near the east coast? I'm looking to major in Women/Gender studies, and I'd generally like a student body that's accepting, open, and artsy.</p>
<p>A safety has to be absolutely affordable. What have the net price calculators for the schools you’ve named shown you about what they expect you and your family to pay? How far is that figure from what your parents want to pay? You need to figure this out to know a) what your safeties must cost, and b) whether you can afford any of these schools. You’re not likely to garner 20K-full tuition from any of the schools you name. Some states have small honors colleges that are a lot like LACs. Florida and Maryland have them, for instance. Where do you live?</p>
<p>@jkeil911 to be honest, I probably won’t qualify for financial aid anywhere. We’re looking at schools purely off my academic qualifications, not from a financial standpoint. Any money I receive is going to be merit, which I may not even get since not all schools offer that, and my parents realize this and are okay with it. So I really just need to find safeties based on my stats.</p>
<p>I live in NJ.</p>
<p>Muhlenberg is welcoming, open, and artsy but the women’s studies program is only offered as a minor. </p>
<p>Hampshire College qualifies. You can also take the bus to the two women’s colleges in the 5 college consortium which have outstanding opportunities in WGS.</p>
<p>St. Lawrence University in rural Canton, NY might be a possibility. Not sure how its artsiness compares to Vassar or Skidmore but it will almost certainly admit you, likely with some merit money. </p>
<p>If you’re looking for another reach, consider Wesleyan University. </p>
<p>Gettysburg and Dickinson as safeties may be pushing it a little, they’d be closer to low-matc; I’d add one or two (StMary’s of MD, the state’s public honors college, would be an absolute safety; perhaps Muhlenberg, Wheaton, Goucher?) </p>
<p>Are you considering women’s colleges? Mount Holyoke would be more of a match than a safety, perhaps, but definitely fits your list of wants & needs. Smith, too. And as Whenhen pointed out, a safety would be Hampshire which is in the 5-college consortium with those schools and you can take classes (and socialize) at all of them. My D had several of your schools on her initial list, and after visiting the women’s colleges she moved those to the top of her list. Very open, accepting, welcoming communities (especially MHC!) She’s VERY artsy so that was also crucial. And they’re obviously great places to be a women’s studies major :)</p>